How to Cite a Podcast in MLA 9th Edition Format

How to Cite a Podcast in MLA 9th Edition Format

Introduction — what this format is and who uses it

MLA (Modern Language Association) 9th edition is a citation style widely used in the humanities—especially literature, languages, and cultural studies. It standardizes how you credit sources so readers can locate the material you used.

This guide explains how to cite a podcast in MLA 9th Edition, with clear, code-style examples you can copy. If you want a faster route, try Rephrasely’s free citation generator at https://rephrasely.com/citation to build citations automatically.

General Rules — key formatting rules

• List entries in a "Works Cited" page (MLA’s reference list), alphabetized by author or title when no author exists.
• Use a hanging indent for each entry and double-space the entire Works Cited (apply in your word processor).
• Capitalize titles in title case and italicize the title of the podcast (the container).
• Include contributors’ role labels (e.g., host, producer) when relevant.
• Use the full date in Day Month Year format (e.g., 4 May 2021).
• Include a URL or DOI for online audio; MLA 9 encourages URLs but lets you omit the "https://" if you prefer.

How to Cite by Source Type — step-by-step

Podcast episode (most common)

1. Author(s) or host(s) — Last name, First name, followed by role (host).
2. "Title of episode." — in quotation marks.
3. Title of podcast — italicized.
4. Season number, episode number — if available (use "season" and "episode").
5. Publisher or production company — if different from title.
6. Date — Day Month Year.
7. Location — URL or DOI.

Example (single host, episode):

Example (multiple hosts):

Whole podcast series

1. Title of podcast — italicized.
2. Created by or hosted by (if you want to emphasize creator/host).
3. Production company or publisher.
4. Year range (if ongoing, give start year or start–present).
5. URL (optional).

Example:

Book

1. Author(s).
2. Title of book — italicized.
3. Publisher, year.

Example:

Journal article

1. Author(s).
2. "Title of article."
3. Title of journal — italicized, volume, issue, year, page range, DOI or URL.

Example:

Website

1. Author(s) or organization.
2. "Title of page."
3. Title of website — italicized.
4. Publisher (if different), publication date, URL.

Example:

Interview (published or recorded)

1. Interviewee. "Title or description (if any)." Interview by Interviewer, Title of Podcast/Program, date, URL.

Example:

How to cite a podcast MLA 9th Edition — special considerations

When following MLA 9 to cite a podcast, remember the host is often treated like the author. If a specific episode has a credited author or host, list that person first and include "host" or another role after the name.

If you quote or refer to a specific moment in a podcast, include a time stamp in the in-text citation (see the In-Text Citations section below).

In-Text Citations — rules and examples

MLA in-text citations are brief and point to the Works Cited entry. For podcasts, cite the host’s last name or a shortened episode title if no person is credited.

• Author/host: (Rogers).
• No author: use a shortened title in quotes: ("The Science of Sleep").
• For time-based references, include time stamps: (Rogers 00:12:34–00:12:50).

Examples:

Reference List — formatting rules and example

MLA's reference list is called "Works Cited." Place it at the end of your paper, center the title "Works Cited," and alphabetize entries.

• Double-space the entire page; use a hanging indent (0.5 in) for each entry.
• Italicize container titles (podcast names, journal titles, book titles).
• Include contributors and roles to clarify responsibility (e.g., host, producer).

Example Works Cited entry for a podcast episode:

Example Works Cited page (small sample):

Common Mistakes — 4 errors to avoid

1. Wrong role or missing contributor: Always list the host or credited creator and label their role (host, creator, producer).
2. Incorrect date format: MLA uses Day Month Year (e.g., 12 Mar. 2022), not month/day/year.
3. Omitting the container title or failing to italicize it: The podcast title is the container and must be italicized in the Works Cited.
4. Improper in-text citation for time-based quotes: When quoting audio/video, include a time stamp to guide the reader to the exact moment.

Practical tips and tools

Save time and avoid formatting errors by using Rephrasely’s free citation generator at https://rephrasely.com/citation. It supports MLA 9 formatting and outputs properly ordered, code-ready citations.

After generating citations, run your paper through Rephrasely’s plagiarism checker (/plagiarism-checker) to ensure proper attribution and use the AI writer (/composer) to draft summaries or transitions. If you suspect AI-generated text, validate originality with the AI detector (/ai-detector).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a podcast episode with no host listed?

If no host or author is provided, start the entry with the episode title in quotation marks, followed by the podcast title (italicized), production details, date, and URL. Use a shortened title in the in-text citation (e.g., ("Episode Title")).

Do I include the time stamp in the Works Cited entry?

No. Time stamps belong in in-text citations when quoting or referring to a specific segment. The Works Cited entry should include the episode title, podcast title, production details, date, and URL but not the time stamp.

Can I use Rephrasely’s citation generator for MLA 9th Edition?

Yes. Rephrasely’s free citation generator at https://rephrasely.com/citation formats citations in MLA 9th Edition. After generating, double-check roles and dates and paste the citation into your Works Cited with proper hanging indent and double-spacing.